Sultan Tells Muslims to Stay United and Guard Freedom of Worship at NSCIA Gathering

Nigerian Muslims have been urged by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, to stay united, hold firm to their faith and defend the ability of Muslims to practise Islam freely.

The Sultan, who also serves as President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), gave the charge on Thursday during the council's General Assembly, which took place at the Conference Room of the National Mosque in Abuja. He described the meeting as an important one, since roughly seven years had passed since the council last convened a General Assembly.

Offering thanks to Almighty Allah for assembling Muslim leaders from various parts of the country, he said the gathering gave members of the Muslim community room to exchange views and deepen their ties as "one big family of Islam".

He acknowledged that expanded General Purpose Committee meetings had been convened in the intervening period, but explained that some decisions and activities could only be handled when a General Assembly was properly constituted.

"All of you are aware why we didn't hold General Assembly for some few years. But we've been holding expanded General Purpose Committee meetings," he said.

The Sultan stated that the long gap between General Assemblies was caused in part by money problems, and that the council had looked for support so it could keep meeting its obligations to the Muslim Ummah nationwide.

With Nigeria and the rest of the world facing difficult circumstances, he said the assembly carried particular weight, and he asked Muslim leaders to stay alert and mindful of their duties.

"It is coming at a time when we should be attentive, we should be a little more conscious because we all know the situation in the country, the situation in the world, and we Muslims have a lot of roles to play," he said.

Muslims, he insisted, must not sit back when matters touching their faith and wellbeing come up, and he encouraged them to take constructive steps to defend their religious interests.

At the same time, he made clear that Islam rejects compulsion where faith is concerned, and that Muslims have no wish to drag anyone into the religion.

"What we need in this country and anywhere else is for us, as Muslims, to be allowed to practise our religion without hindrance," he said.

"We do not intend to force anybody to join Islam. But we have seen how many people have been joining Islam on their own free will because Almighty Allah said there is no compulsion in religion."

Those who choose Islam of their own accord, he added, deserve the support and protection of fellow Muslims, who should also help them practise their faith properly.

The Sultan called on Muslims to show humility and to recognise equality, noting that every person stands equal before Almighty Allah and that piety is what truly determines a person's worth.

"The best amongst us is he who is most pious," he said.

He also appealed to Muslim leaders and members of the Ummah to keep serving humanity, whether openly or away from public view, pointing out that service does not need publicity to carry value.

In his view, some of the most worthwhile contributions to Islam and to society are made quietly, by people who neither seek recognition nor praise.

He praised Muslim leaders and Ummah members who have kept contributing to the growth of Islam and society, saying that Almighty Allah is aware of their efforts, whether made publicly or privately.

Bringing his remarks to a close, the Sultan thanked the delegates for turning up at the General Assembly and expressed hope that the meeting would yield fruitful deliberations and a fresh dedication to the progress of the Muslim Ummah.

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